DIALATION

LATELY ONE OF MY EYES DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY DIALATES FOR NO APPPARENT REASON. IT CAN HAPPEN ON AND OFF FOR HOURS OR SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. IT SEEMS TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE MORE THAN THE LEFT, ANY SUGGESTIONS?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

FYI your pupil dilates (not dialates).  This can be a sign of serious problems especially if you do not wear contact lens and do not use over the counter drops in your eyes (for example Visine).  Use a digital camera to take a picture of it next time it happens. Warning turn OFF the flash and when you have your picture taken focus on something quite far away (30 feet or more). Take these photos to your appointment with an ophthalmologist (eye physician MD).

It is of more concern that one pupil dilates and not the other. The Eye MD will also make certain that it's not that one pupil is SMALLER than it should be which would make the other look dilated.

When you have your check up be sure and have the Eye MDs assistants have the physician see you BEFROE ANY DROPS ARE PUT IN YOUR EYE. On routine exams the Eye MD often does not see the patient until the pupil is dilated.


Please follow thorough on this recommendation, it is important.

JCH III MD Eye Physician & Surgeon

[tigerlilly1243]

A related discussion, one eye dialated was started.